SECOND REGULAR SESSION

SENATE BILL NO. 632

89TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY


INTRODUCED BY SENATOR QUICK.

Pre-filed December 31, 1997, and 1,000 copies ordered printed.

TERRY L. SPIELER, Secretary.

S2871.01I


AN ACT

To amend chapter 208, RSMo, by adding thereto one new section relating to providing health care for certain uninsured individuals.


Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Missouri, as follows:

Section A.  Chapter 208, RSMo is amended, by adding thereto one new section, to be known as section 208.183, to read as follows:

208.183.  1.  Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, the department of social services shall establish a program to pay for health care for uninsured individuals.  Coverage pursuant to this act is subject to appropriation.

2.  The department is authorized to pay for health care for the following uninsured individuals:

(1)  Uninsured individuals under the age of nineteen with available income up to three hundred percent of the federal poverty level;

(2)  Uninsured individuals under the age of nineteen attending an elementary or secondary school in a district in which fifty percent or more of the total enrollment are from low-income families as defined by rule;

(3)  Uninsured individuals transitioning off of public assistance with available income up to three hundred percent of the federal poverty level;

(4)  Uninsured noncustodial parents with available income up to one hundred percent of the federal poverty level; and

(5)  Uninsured custodial parents with available income up to one hundred percent of the federal poverty level.

3.  The department is authorized to pay for women's health services for uninsured women who would lose eligibility for medical assistance as authorized in section 208.151, sixty days after the birth of the child.  Women's health services are limited to two years after the birth of the child.

4.  For purposes of this section, an "uninsured individual" is an individual who does not have or has not been eligible for employer subsidized health care insurance coverage for six months prior to application for payment of health care and who meets the eligibility criteria.  An individual who is eligible for medical assistance as authorized in section 208.151, is not uninsured.

5.  Each applicant for or recipient of the program established in this section shall:

(1)  Be a resident of the state of Missouri;

(2)  Furnish to the department of social services the applicant or recipient's social security number or numbers, if the applicant or recipient has more than one such number;

(3)  Cooperate with the department of social services, division of child support enforcement in establishing paternity and in obtaining support payments, including medical support;

(4)  Cooperate with the department of social services in identifying and providing information to assist the state in pursuing any third party who may be liable to pay for health care; and

(5)  Participate in any program designed to reduce the recipient's dependence on welfare, if requested to do so by the department of social services.

6.  The department of social services shall implement policies establishing a program to pay for health care for uninsured individuals by rules promulgated pursuant to chapter 536, RSMo, either statewide or in certain geographic areas, subject to obtaining necessary federal approval and appropriation authority.  The rules may provide for a health care services package, not to include all medical services covered by section 208.152, and may establish copayment, coinsurance, deductible or premium requirements for health care and may establish those services to be included in the women's health services.  All copayment, coinsurance, deductible or premium payments required by rule by the department of social services shall be transferred to the general revenue fund.

7.  "Available income" shall be determined by the department of social services by rule, which shall comply with federal laws and regulations relating to the state's eligibility to receive federal funds to implement the insurance program established in this section.


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